Oakley's Birthday

Lisa Lucas Illustrated by Laurie Stein

Oakley’s birthday party goes awry, but friendship, family, and laughter make it special anyway.

It’s Oakley’s special day! The little polar bear is excited about his birthday party, from choosing between chocolate chip and chocolate swirl cake to playing games with friends. But when balloons keep popping, sister Ruth gets upset about losing games, and Mother burns the cake they worked so hard to make, Oakley learns that the best part of any celebration isn’t the perfect details—it’s sharing time with the people you love. A heartwarming, humorous, and delightfully illustrated story about joy, resilience, and the magic of imperfect celebrations.

Realistic party mishaps — Shows children that celebrations don’t need to be perfect to be meaningful, helping kids manage expectations and disappointment with grace
Hands-on learning experience — Includes a real chocolate chip swirl cake recipe that families can make together, extending the story into practical kitchen skills and bonding time
Emotional intelligence themes — Addresses sibling rivalry, frustration with losing games, and coping with disappointment in age-appropriate ways that promote healthy emotional development

ISBN ：978-1-76036-369-7

Release Date ：3rd November 2026